The Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban has reshaped cities and inspired a jan andolan for swachhata, turning cleanliness into a shared civic duty. Campaigns like Swachhata Hi Seva and initiatives such as Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) have united communities to transform neglected dumping grounds into clean, vibrant, usable public spaces.

 

Under SBM-U 2.0, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across India are focussing on visible cleanliness, transforming neglected, dark, dirty and waste-laden areas through the Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) initiative. Success stories from Alappuzha, Kerala, and Metpally, Telangana, show how coordinated action and citizen participation are creating cleaner, more liveable communities.

 

The Alappuzha Municipality in Kerala has set a noteworthy example of urban transformation through the aesthetic conversion of a 15-cent fallow land located in front of the Municipality Office Complex - Sathabdi Mandiram. The plot, owned by the Water Authority, had long remained unused and overgrown with weeds, with a large water tank in a deteriorated condition marked by faded paint and neglect. As part of the Municipality’s cleanliness and beautification initiative, approximately 5.4 tons of waste were removed from the site, and the water tank was artistically repainted with vibrant messages on swachhata, turning it into an attractive public landmark.

The surrounding 10 cents of land were developed into a blooming garden cultivated mainly with yellow and orange Chrysanthemum (marigold) flowers, enhancing the visual appeal of the area. The flowers harvested from the garden were used for the traditional Pookkalam (floral carpet) during Kerala’s Onam festival, adding cultural significance to the initiative. All cleaning, refurbishing, and maintenance activities were undertaken by the dedicated sanitation workers, who continue to preserve the site’s beauty. This once-neglected space now stands as a symbol of Alappuzha’s commitment to sustainable waste management, civic pride, and urban beautification.

Metpally Municipality in Telangana undertook the rejuvenation of the Koneru at Chenna Keshavanatha Swamy Temple, located near the municipal office in Metpally town, during the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign. The sacred pond was heavily silted and filled with plastic waste and debris, diminishing its aesthetic and spiritual significance. In response, the Municipality launched a targeted cleanliness and restoration drive within the temple premises.

During the initiative, approximately 4 tons of waste and debris were removed from the pond and its surroundings. The activity witnessed active participation from around 80 individuals, including municipal staff, SHG women, local youth, and members of the temple committee. The drive involved desilting of the pond, cleaning of the temple surroundings, and removal of accumulated garbage, leading to the complete restoration of the Koneru. The rejuvenated pond now holds clear water, reinstating the site’s environmental and spiritual sanctity. The temple area has been transformed into a clean, serene space for devotees, while also fostering a strong sense of community ownership and collective responsibility. This initiative exemplifies Metpally Municipality’s commitment to Swachhata, heritage conservation, and citizen participation, aligning closely with the goals of Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0.

Macherla Municipality undertook a large-scale cleanliness and beautification drive during the Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 campaign. The initiative focused on transforming the CTU site at Yadavula bazar near a water tank that had become a dumping ground for animal waste. Over 1,500 volunteers, including students, youth, Women SHGs, citizens, and sanitation workers, participated in the drive, collecting nearly 150 metric tonnes of garbage which was transported to the Waste-to-Compost Plant at Macherla.

After the cleanup, low-lying road portions were filled and levelled, while SHG members beautified the area with colourful rangolis and decorative borders, turning it into a vibrant public space. 150 saplings were planted. The public water tank and nearby walls were cleaned, repainted, and adorned with awareness messages promoting swachhata.

Jamshedpur Municipal Corporation organized a special pond cleaning drive at Kailash Sarovar, located in Ward No. 02, Sonari, with the active participation of local residents. The initiative witnessed enthusiastic involvement from citizens, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), youth volunteers, and Safai Mitras, who came together to restore the beauty and ecological balance of the water body.

During the drive, over 2 tonnes of waste—including plastic, silt, and debris—were removed from the pond, significantly enhancing its cleanliness and aesthetic appeal. The initiative not only rejuvenated Kailash Sarovar but also inspired the community to take sustained ownership of their local environment and public spaces.

The transformation stories of these cities highlight how the Swachh Bharat Mission has evolved beyond a cleanliness campaign into a citizen-led movement for sustainable urban renewal.

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